Starquest (Thoth + Cascata)

[Kender Bard]

It'd taken a little time to locate his home, but Mother Cascata glanced at the address scribbled on the parchment and back at the door of the home of Thoth - astrologer. She didn't normally subscribe to such things, not that she didn't believe, but she had free time and free coin on her hands now and decided to use it thusly. She knocked.

[Darastrix]

The young astrologer had not been expecting company and took a few moments more than usual to answer.

"So sorry," he apologised, opening the door. "I was a bit preoccupied and didn't realise someone was knocking. Oh!" Thoth blinked and adjusted his glasses. "Mother Cascata, what brings you here?"

[Kender Bard]

Cascata smiled and bowed her head to the man. "I have it on good authority that you are an astrologer sir. I was wondering if I could solicit a reading of the stars from you."

[Darastrix]

Thoth looked surprised, but nodded, stepping aside to let Cascata in. "Of course, but I must warn you, I'm not schooled in the art of personal readings. My own method looks at the whole rather than the parts."

A rather large waterfowl, bearing plumage the same tone-toned shade as the astrologer's hair, looked up from a makeshift nest and chattered at the Mother.

[Kender Bard]

"Aw," Cascata cooed and went to look at the bird more closely. "And if that is the case, very well. It is good to keep abreast of such knowledge - I'll be interested in your larger reading then. Your name is.. Thoth correct?"

[Darastrix]

"Yes," he said, nodding. "And my friend there is Iah," Thoth added with a fond smile at the ibis. Iah fluffed up his feathers, showing off his plumage.

"Do you wish me to do a reading regarding Ronduin, or Naruta in general?" he asked.

[Kender Bard]

"If you are able to do both, I will pay twice the fee you charge," Cascata offered. "If not, then.. Naruta please." She smiled at Iah. "Is he safe to pet?"

[Darastrix]

"I can do both," he confirmed, walking to a table stacked with scrolls and charts. "And yes, he's perfectly safe."

Thoth carefully unrolled a map of the island nation drawn on translucent vellum and laid it across another, much more complicated-looking map. His profession was nearly impossible to perform without having a strong grasp of astronomy as well, and he had an extensive collection of star maps, which was being constantly added to, as the astrologer mapped the paths of many specific stars and constellations himself.

[Kender Bard]

Cascata contented herself petting the bird before walking over and looking with great interest at Thoth's work. "That's very pretty," she noted, admiring the star charts. She moved away and took a seat where she wouldn't be in the way.

[Darastrix]

Thoth blinked at the chart. "Well, I suppose some people would find it so," he said absently. It had been several years since the astrologer had contemplated the beauty of the stars. He looked for what they had to say; he didn't simply look at them.

He spent a good while peering at the overlapping maps, checking for any anomalies in the stars' relation to Ronduin or any positions or patterns that he knew to be of significance. After several minutes of pouring over the maps, his notes, and a few charts from the past months, Thoth shook his head. "As far as Ronduin is concerned, I can see nothing. There's either nothing of significance presently occurring or that will occur in the near future, the Forces have decided that whatever may be happening is to stay hidden to us for a while longer, or I'm simply missing what signs are there."

[Kender Bard]

Cascata nodded and looked somewhat relieved. "That's good. Generally great change that I'm not privy to is not good news. What of the rest of Naruta?"

[Darastrix]

Thoth repeated the same process as before, delving into more of his notes and looking over a large map of the entire continent that hung on one wall. As he did, the astrologer seemed to become more agitated, muttering to himself softly and checking and rechecking things. Finally, he sat down and took off his glasses to rub at his eyes before speaking.

"If I'm reading this right, there's a chain of islands to the south of Naruta that nobody has ever charted. They're important somehow, or will be, at any rate."

[Kender Bard]

Cascata looked intrigued at this. "Hmm, perhaps I should alert our sailors," she murmured. "Some may find a trip profitable or at least exciting. My but wouldn't it be fun to go to an uncharted land and find something exotic and special?"

She giggled quietly to herself in private delight. "Well if that's all, I thank you very much. What shall the charge be?"

[Darastrix]

"Oh, um, ten copper should do," Thoth replied, slipping his glasses back on. For a moment it seemed as though he was going to say something else, but in the end he just glanced away and busied himself with setting his charts back in order. "And please come again if you would like another reading," the astrologer added.

[Kender Bard]

"I think I shall," she said and deposited the ten copper on the desk for him to collect when he wished. "And I will extend my invitation as well - please, feel free to visit if you should ever have need or concern or wish simply to chat with someone. I'm really quite interested in what you do. You have a special talent and that's admirable."

She smiled and bowed slightly. "Well, good day then." Turning, she left.